Footnote(s): (a) Data not collected for 2011, 2013 and 2014 seasons. (b) Data only available for 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2015 seasons.

Source(s): Vineyards, Australia 2014-15

Footnote(s): (a) Data not collected for 2011, 2013 and 2014 seasons. (b) Data only available for 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2015 seasons.

Source(s): Vineyards, Australia 2014-15

KEY WINE VARIETY FINDINGS

Red Wine

In 2015, red wine grape production increased 5% from 2012 to 844,000 tonnes and red wine grape vines accounted for 64% of all vines planted in Australia.

The most popular varieties produced were Shiraz (almost half of total red wine production) at 395,000 tonnes, Cabernet Sauvignon at 203,000 tonnes and Merlot at 112,000 tonnes.

South Australia produced the majority (54%) of Australia’s red wine grapes in 2015 with 454,000 tonnes, followed by New South Wales (25%) and Victoria (19%).

White Wine

In 2015, production of white wine grapes decreased nationally (down to 764,000 tonnes) and in all states and territories except Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.

The top white wine varieties produced were Chardonnay (almost half of national white wine production) with 341,000 tonnes, Sauvignon Blanc with 84,000 tonnes and Semillon with 65,400 tonnes (down by 16% or 12,500 tonnes).

Approximately 75% of Australia's white wine grapes were produced in South Australia and New South Wales.

KEY WATER SOURCE AND METHODS FIGURES

WATER SOURCES AND METHODS, year ended 30 June 2015

Aust.

NSW (a)

Vic.

Qld

SA

WA

Tas.

VOLUME OF WATER USED BY SOURCE (ML)

Irrigation channels

208,170

99,890

42.037

107

65.792

178

166

On-farm dams or tanks

17,789

1,144

4,847

118

4,025

6,672

983

Rivers, creeks, lakes etc.

159,014

32,590

34,994

448

89,621

969

351

Groundwater

40,627

3,675

3,352

12

32,274

1,306

9

Recycled/re-used water from off-farm sources

4,478

3

366

0

4,099

0

10

Town or country reticulated mains supply

6,765

2,204

179

0

4,254

14

114

Other

3,322

35

681

2

2,598

0

6

Total

440,165

139,540

86,457

727

202,664

9,138

1,369

AREA IRRIGATED BY METHOD (ha)

Spray or sprinkler (excluding micro spray)

7,849

1,199

2,360

12

4,167

79

33

Drip or micro spray

112,474

27,785

17,334

396

58,621

7,316

1,022

Furrow or flood

3,015

2,688

149

0

159

18

1

Other

67

28

7

1

25

6

0

Method not reported

1,314

141

78

0

832

19

243

(a) Includes Australian Capital Territory

Footnote(s): Data not collected for 2011, 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Source(s): Vineyards, Australia 2014-15

KEY WATER SOURCE AND METHODS FINDINGS

In 2015, 440,000 megalitres of water was used to irrigate vineyards, an 18% increase since the 2012 season due to dry conditions. The principal water source used was irrigation channels or irrigation pipelines, accounting for 208,000 megalitres applied.

Vineyards in South Australia accounted for 46% (or 203,000 megalitres) of total water use, followed by New South Wales with 32% (or 140,000 megalitres) and Victoria with 20% (or 86,500 megalitres).

Watering by drip or micro spray remained the most popular method with 112,000 hectares of vineyards watered this way nationally, a fall of 7% since the 2012 season.

More detailed information is available in datacubes under the Downloads tab